The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-01-27
LOVES YOUNG DREAM.
Where Nellie Grant First Met the Ma
Who Became Her Husband.


But in those early years during thu
war and the first portion of his Presi
dencr. indeed during all the period il
which General Grant achieved his great
ness, his children were only playmate
and objects of affection for him. They
were too young to understand his effort!
and duties and anNieties. Jesse. the
Oplv one whom | ever saw much in the
field. was child Of seven years, toy
delight to his father, and of course
cherished deeply, but that was all; thu
others were at school; he hardly saw
them, and when he did, of course they
could not influence his action or per
cHive its objects or results. In W; -
ington. all through the Andrew John
sen time, they were still children. He
was fond of them, but he did not then
Impress me as more tender than many
other fathers. though deficient in nc
parental duty or sentiment.
l left his side after the first months OF
the Presidency, and saw little of him
for the next seven years, but | met all
of his children in Europe-the daughter
first. She was then just seventeen. the
sweetest, most natural, delightful OF
American maidens. She was received
almost as a Princess in England. Gen
eral Schenck was American Minister ut
the time, and he determined that the
daughter of the President should be
treated with respect according to En-
! glish rules. He called on the Minister
of Foreign Affairs and announced that
the daughter of the President of the
United States had arrived in London.
In day or two the Foreign Secretary
replied that the Lord Chamberlain had
informed him her Majesty would be
happy to receive Miss Grant at private
audience at Buckingham Palace, to-
gether with the lady who accompanied
her, and the Minister of the United
| States.
Now, ''NeIlie Grant" as the country
called her, had been sent abroad by her
mother to take her out of the way of
half-grown admirers; she had never
worn long gown in her life till she
arrived in England, but as the PreSi-
dents daughter she was the object of q
very natural attention Mr.. Borie. the
recent Secretary of the Navy, was going
to Europe with his wife. and Mrs.
Grant asked Mrs. Borie to take Nellie"
with her. 1t was Il great favor on Mrs.
Borie's part, but she was happy to con-
sent. She thought, however, that she
was to take schoolgirl, and she found
she had half-fledged princess on her
hands. She did not want to 90 to Buck
ingham P,riacc, and asked if the daugh-
terS of the Minister could not accom-
pany Miss Grant. But the Queen had
not invited these young ladies, and they
could not suggest themselves. Then
Mrs. Borie had no gown to wear to
court; but this difficulty was overcome,
and she went to the palace like 4 lady
Gin attendance" on the little girl she
had expected to chaperOne.
I gave Mademoiselle garden party
while she was in London and was de-
lighted with her ease and self-posSes-
sion. She stood by my side and smiled
with democratic grace on Duchesses
and Warehouses; as they made her
the same courtesy they made to royalty;
the higher their own rank the more
profound the prostration they per-
formed.
On the return voyage the young lady
met her fate Mr.. and Mrs B0rie
were both i'll aud kept their state
rooms, while Miss Nellie remained on
deck There she fell in with young
Englishman, and before they reached
America the mischief had been done
that she was sent to Europe to avoid.
'Nellie Grant" was engaged-and to
an Englishman. Sartoris told me how
he asked General Grant for the young
lady's hand. With all the awe of an
Englishman for the head of State, he
was invited to dinner at the White
House, knowing what was expected of
him. After dinner the President led
the way to the billiard room and offered
him Il cigar. Then" said Sartoris,
Il knew my time had come. l waited
and hoped the President would help
me, but not word did he say. He sat
silent, looking Mt me. l hesitated and
fidgeted. and coughed, and thought 1
should sink through the floor. Finally
l exclaimed, in desperation: Mr..
President, l want to marry your daugh-
ter "
1t took bold man to say that to
General Grant, but doubtless the bold
ness recommended him, for Sartoris
carried away the prize.-Adans Badeau,
in DeS MOines Register.